“Glee” star Cory Monteith, who died at age 31 in July following a struggle with substance abuse, was honored by his co-star Jane Lynch during an in memoriam segment during Sunday night’s Oscars.
In a solemn moment, Lynch praised Monteith’s “warmth” and “charm.”
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Lynch added that Monteith was “a beautiful soul. He was not perfect, which many of us in this room can relate to.”
She added that Monteith’s death was a reminder of “the rapacious, senseless destruction that is brought on by addiction.”
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The inclusion of Monteith in the in memoriam honors — and the exclusion of other actors who had fallen this year — generated its share of controversy in the days running up to the ceremony. Adam Klugman, son of deceased “The Odd Couple” star Jack Klugman, criticized Monteith’s inclusion, telling the Los Angeles Times that the producers are “celebrating this self-inflicted tragedy instead of celebrating the life of my father, who won three Emmys … Cory Monteith never won an Emmy.”
Monteith’s mother, Ann McGregor, countered that Klugman was “misdirected” in his comments.
Watch Lynch’s tribute: